The uncomfortable reality of Marchand and Boston being separate entities was inevitable after the team fell short a couple of years ago.

Brad Marchand would not close the door on a return to the Bruins in the offseason. But it certainly sounded like there are high hopes for that.

For the first time in more than a decade, the Bruins and general manager Don Sweeney are ready to prioritize the future over short-term gains — with Boston poised to sell ahead of Friday’s NHL trade deadline.